WO2016098001A1

WO2016098001A1 - Device for extracting water from the environment

Info

Publication number: WO2016098001A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/059641
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Javier Velasco Valcke
Original assignee: Panacea Quantum Leap Technology Llc
Priority date: 2014-12-15
Filing date: 2015-12-15
Publication date: 2016-06-23
Also published as: EP3235555A4; US10617972B2; EP3235555A1; JP6679090B2; US20180126297A1; JP2018501951A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for extracting water from the environment, comprising a means for capturing water from the environment with liquid desiccant, an evaporation chamber, an evaporation mechanism, a duct via which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capturing means to the evaporation chamber, a duct via which liquid desiccant flows from the evaporation chamber to the capturing means, a reservoir for providing water extracted from the liquid desiccant in the evaporation chamber, a duct for the circulation of the water from the cylinder, from the evaporation mechanism, to the reservoir, and a control device that controls the compressor. The evaporation mechanism comprises a cylinder located inside the evaporation chamber, a membrane located inside the cylinder and a compressor which is operatively connected to the membrane, for inflating and deflating the membrane.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE EXTRACTION OF WATER FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dehumidifiers and, in particular, to systems that obtain water from the air through liquid desiccants.

Description of the state of the art The dehumidification processes have the objective of capturing the humidity of the environment using materials that try to balance the humidity of their surroundings with the level of humidity of their material. When it is also necessary to combat high latent moisture loads, desiccants are used to lower the moisture content of the air from thermal processes. A desiccant is a chemical that has a high affinity for moisture, that is, it is capable of extracting water vapor from the air, in relatively large quantities in relation to its weight and volume. The physical process that allows moisture retention or release is the difference in vapor pressure between the surface of the desiccant and the ambient air. Its water retention properties are due to surface adsorption and capillary condensation. Desiccants can be classified as absorbents, which are those that when they retain or release moisture undergo chemical changes, or adsorbents, which are those that when they retain or release moisture do so without being accompanied by chemical changes; that is, the only change is the addition of the water vapor mass to the desiccant. Desiccants can be solid or liquid. Many liquid desiccants are absorbent.

Dehumidification of the air with desiccants occurs when the vapor pressure of the desiccant surface is lower than that of ambient air. When the water vapor is adsorbed the vapor pressure in the desiccant is increased until equilibrium is experienced. This is achieved when the vapor pressure in the desiccant and in the air are equal. In order to reuse the desiccant it is necessary to regenerate it, that is, it is necessary to remove the moisture. Regeneration or release of adsorbed water vapor is achieved of the desiccant by heating it to increase its vapor pressure, thus removing moisture from the desiccant.

The state of the art proposes systems for reducing humidity in the environment from the use of liquid desiccant materials, in which the liquid desiccant captures vapor present in the atmosphere, and subsequently releases it when it is heated and / or when subjected to a differential of Pressure. A disclosure in which the foregoing is evidenced is given in document US2002 / 0189448 Al, which discloses an apparatus for handling water contained in a fluid.

US2002 / 0189448 Al discloses an apparatus for extracting water from the environment using a desiccant. The device has two chambers for water extraction. In the first chamber a desiccant is arranged in such a way that it captures water vapor from an air flow that enters and leaves the chamber through two gates. The second chamber comprises a positive displacement pin, and a gate located at the bottom of the second chamber, which communicates to a tank. The two cameras are communicated by a pipeline that includes a gate. The water vapor is captured by the desiccant, during the capture of the water vapor, the gates of the first chamber remain open and the gate of the duct that communicates the chambers remains closed. After capturing the water vapor the gates of the first chamber are closed, and the gate that communicates the chambers is opened, the bolus of the second chamber is displaced generating a suction effect in the first chamber, during this procedure the gate of The second camera remains closed. Because of the suction effect, the water vapor captured by the desiccant located in the first chamber flows to the second chamber. Once the embolus ends its displacement, the gate that communicates the chambers closes, and the plunger moves in the opposite direction of the previous movement compressing the water vapor and consequently condensing it. Once the embolus culminates the displacement with which the water vapor condenses, the gate of the second chamber opens allowing the passage of water in a liquid state to the reservoir, and starts again the process to capture more water. This above describes an apparatus for capturing water from the environment under a bumpy operation, that is, it is not a continuous process. Additionally, the instrumentation of the plunger is required for its movement and manipulation of the gates, at least more than one operator for manual manipulation of the device.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a device that captures water from ambient air using liquid desiccants.

The device comprises a capture means, an evaporation chamber, an evaporation mechanism operatively connected to the evaporation chamber, a pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber, a pipeline through which desiccant flows liquid from the evaporation chamber to the capture medium, a reservoir for disposing of water extracted from the liquid desiccant with water in the evaporation chamber, a duct through which water flows from the cylinder to the reservoir, and a control device that controls the compressor. The evaporation mechanism comprises a cylinder located inside the evaporation chamber, a membrane located inside the cylinder and a compressor operatively connected to the membrane to inflate and deflate the membrane.

Prior to the operation of the device, the cylinder is charged with water vapor. The compressor supplies air inside the membrane by inflating and deflating it, which generates a pressure and temperature gradient inside the cylinder and consequently there is a flow of heat towards the cylinder walls.

The liquid desiccant captures the water from the environment in the capture medium, obtaining liquid desiccant with water. The liquid desiccant with water is regenerated in the extraction chamber. Upon entering the liquid desiccant with water into the extraction chamber, it dips the cylinder, and captures the heat transferred to the cylinder walls, therefore water from the liquid desiccant evaporates with water. Water vapor flows into the cylinder. Water vapor condenses inside the cylinder when subjected to the pressure gradient exerted by inflation and deflation of the membrane. The heat of the water vapor is transferred to the cylinder walls. Water subsequently leaves the cylinder and flows into the tank.

The liquid desiccant flows from the evaporation chamber to the capture medium.

Description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention in which all its components are displayed.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention, in which the pipeline through which the water extracted in the evaporation chamber flows to the tank, the pipeline through which the liquid desiccant from the evaporation chamber flows to the medium of capture and the pipeline through which the liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber, are configured as a heat exchanger, and the tank has a closed tank inside.

Fig. 3 shows the evaporation chamber in an embodiment of the invention, in which the liquid desiccant with water is disposed inside the regeneration chamber when it is spread by a sprinkler. The liquid desiccant comes into contact with the wall of a cylinder which transfers heat to the liquid desiccant with water to evaporate the water.

Fig. 4 shows the evaporation chamber in an embodiment of the invention, in which the liquid desiccant with water is disposed inside the regeneration chamber as it is spread by a sprinkler. The liquid desiccant comes into contact with the wall of a cylinder which transfers heat to the liquid desiccant with water to evaporate the water. Inside the evaporation chamber there are two sprinklers and one cylinder for each sprinkler. Detailed description of the invention

The present invention discloses a device for extracting water from the environment by means of a liquid desiccant. The device of the present invention can extract water vapor from the air present in the environment.

Referring to Fig. 1, the device of the present invention comprises:

- a capture means (1),

- an evaporation chamber (2),

- an evaporation mechanism,

- a pipe (3) through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium (1) to the evaporation chamber (2),

- a pipe (4) through which liquid desiccant flows from the evaporation chamber (2) to the capture medium (1),

- a deposit (5),

- a pipe (6) through which the water flows from the cylinder (11) to the tank (5); Y,

- a control device (7). The capture medium (1) is the device component, where the liquid desiccant captures water from the environment. Referring to Fig. 1, the capture means (1) is an inclined tray through which the liquid desiccant for water capture flows.

In one embodiment of the invention, the capture means (1) is a reservoir in which the liquid desiccant is disposed, to the interior of the reservoir flows air current from the environment that has contact with the desiccant for the purpose of capturing the Water. The capture medium (1) allows the liquid desiccant to have contact with the environment for the capture of water, thus obtaining liquid desiccant with water.

In one embodiment of the invention, the capture means comprises a fan, a compressor or a turbine, which causes ambient air to flow to the tray where the liquid desiccant or reservoir where the liquid desiccant is arranged flows. Referring to Fig. 1, the liquid desiccant with water flows through the duct (3) of the capture medium (1) to the evaporation chamber (2). Referring to Fig. 2, in another embodiment of the invention, along the duct (3) it is connected to a pump (8) to control the passage of the liquid desiccant with water into the evaporation chamber (2).

In another embodiment of the invention, the pump (8) can be replaced by a valve, and the vacuum effect generated by the deflation of a membrane (12) in the expansion chamber (28) is used in order to suction the Liquid desiccant with water flowing through the pipeline (3), this situation is explained below. If the pressure gradient is not sufficient to suction the liquid desiccant, the pump (8) is incorporated. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the evaporation chamber (2) is double-jacket, that is, the evaporation chamber has on its exterior a first jacket (9), and internally it has the second jacket ( 10). The second jacket (10) has a height less than the evaporation chamber (2). The second jacket (10) is made of an insulating material, or at least its upper part adjacent to the expansion chamber (28) is covered with a thermal insulating material.

Referring to Fig. 1, the evaporation mechanism comprises:

- a cylinder (11);

- a membrane (12), preferably of an anticorrosive material;

- a compressor (13);

- a pipe (14);

- a pipeline (15);

- valve (17);

- valve (18); Y

- a tank (16). Referring to Fig. 1, the cylinder (11) is located inside the evaporation chamber (2), which is preferably made of a thermal and anticorrosive conductive material. The membrane (12) is located inside the cylinder (11). The duct (14) and the duct (15) are connected to the membrane (12). The duct (14) is connected to the compressor (13), at the compressor suction point (13). The valve (18) is located along the pipe (14). The duct (15) is connected to the compressor (13), at the point of discharge of the compressor (13). Along the duct (15), in the direction of the compressor (13) to the membrane (12), the tank (16) is located first and then the valve (17). When the compressor (13) sucks the fluid contained in the membrane (12), the fluid is stored in the tank (16) at a pressure higher than atmospheric. During the suction of the fluid by the compressor (13), the valve (18) is kept open and the valve (17) closed. To inflate the membrane (12), the valve (18) is kept closed and the valve (17) open; Since the pressure in the tank (16) is greater than the pressure of the membrane (12), the membrane (12) is inflated. In principle, the tank (16) must be loaded with fluid to inflate the membrane (12), a fluid that, during deflation of the membrane (12) is sucked by the compressor (13) and stored in the tank (16).

In one embodiment of the invention, along the duct (14), in the direction of the membrane (12) to the compressor (13), the valve (18) and then the tank (16) is located first, and along the valve (17) is located from the duct (15). In principle the tank (16) must be loaded with fluid. To inflate the membrane (12), the compressor sucks and increases the pressure of the fluid contained in the tank (16). During inflation of the membrane (12), the valve (17) is kept open and the valve (18) closed. Due to the suction of the fluid contained in the tank (16), a negative pressure is obtained in the tank (16), therefore for the deflation of the membrane (12), the valve (17) is kept closed and the valve (18), the tank (16) sucking the fluid contained in the membrane (12).

Referring to Fig. 2, an embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein the membrane (12) connects a duct (19) that connects to the duct (14) and the duct (15). Along the duct (14), in the direction of the duct (19) to the compressor (13), the valve (18) is located first and then a tank (20). Along the pipeline (15), in the sense of compressor (13) to duct (19), the tank (16) is located first and then the valve

(17). The tank (16) is loaded with the fluid at a pressure higher than atmospheric, and the tank (20) is empty and at a negative gauge pressure. Therefore, to inflate the membrane (12), the valve (17) is kept open and the valve (18) closed. To deflate the membrane (12), the valve (17) is kept closed and the valve open

(18). The compressor (13) sucks the fluid contained in the tank (20) and releases it under pressure into the tank (16), during this operation the valve (17) and the valve (18) must be closed. In this embodiment of the invention, the work required by the compressor (13) is lower than that required in the previous modes, given the pressure differential that the compressor must supply (13) is lower when taking advantage of the pressure differentials provided by the tanks, additionally the operating times are shorter.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the liquid desiccant with water enters the bottom of the evaporation chamber (2), flows between the cylinder wall (11) and the second jacket (10). By inflating and deflating the membrane (12), a pressure gradient and a temperature gradient are generated inside the evaporation chamber (2). With a temperature gradient, heat is transferred through the cylinder wall (11). The heat transferred evaporates water contained in the liquid desiccant with water. The evaporated water flows into the evaporation chamber (2) in the expansion chamber (28) and enters the interior of the cylinder (11) through the valve (29).

The valve (29) opens for the evaporated water to enter the cylinder (11) when the membrane (12) is deflating, when the membrane (12) is inflating or inflated, the valve (29) remains closed. The liquid desiccant flows over the second jacket (10) to continue flowing between the second jacket (10) and the first jacket (9) to the bottom of the evaporation chamber for subsequent exit through the duct (4). The valve (29) can be a unidirectional valve, or an electrovalve controlled by the control device (7), as is the case of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 1, the liquid desiccant flows into the capture medium (1) through the duct (4). Referring to Fig. 2, in one embodiment of the invention, a pump (25) is connected along the duct (4) to pump the liquid desiccant into the capture medium (1).

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, water flows through the duct (6) from the cylinder (11) to the reservoir (5), where it is disposed.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a valve (26) is connected along the duct (6), which, when closed, retains the flow of water vapor inside the cylinder (11) and when the membrane (12) inflates, the pressure increases inside the cylinder by condensing the water vapor and obtaining water in a liquid state. When the water is in a liquid state the valve (26) opens by flowing the water to the reservoir (5). The valve (26) opens for a fraction of time at the end of inflation of the membrane (12) when the steam has condensed and closes before starting the steam admission process, that is, before starting the deflation of the membrane (12), in such a way that it allows the exit of water in a liquid state and not water vapor. In one embodiment of the invention, a pump is connected along the duct (6) to pump the water from the cylinder (11) to the reservoir (5), after the valve (26).

Referring to Fig. 3, in one embodiment of the invention, the liquid desiccant with water enters the evaporation chamber (2) through the duct (3). The duct (3) is connected to the sprinkler (32), through which the liquid desiccant with water is dispersed inside the evaporation chamber (2). Inside the evaporation chamber (11) is the cylinder (11), and inside the cylinder (11) the membrane (12) which is inflated or deflated by the fluid flowing through the duct (19) connected to the membrane (12).

By inflating and deflating the membrane (12) a pressure and temperature gradient is generated, the heat is transferred through the cylinder wall (11). The liquid desiccant with water leaving the sprinkler (32) touches the walls of the cylinder (11) heating up when heat is transferred and consequently evaporating the water contained in the liquid desiccant with water. The liquid desiccant with water flows in the periphery of the cylinder (11) presenting a coanda effect.

After water evaporation, the liquid desiccant falls to the bottom of the evaporation chamber (2). Water vapor flows to the top of the evaporation chamber (2) and enters the pipeline (31). The duct (31) is connected to the cylinder (11) to allow the flow of water vapor into the cylinder (11). Along the duct (31) the valve (29) is located, which is closed when the membrane (12) is inflated avoiding the flow of water vapor into the cylinder (11), and is open when the gas is deflated membrane (12) allowing the passage of water vapor inside the cylinder (11).

When the membrane (12) is inflated, the water vapor inside the cylinder (11) increases its pressure and condenses at a high temperature, the heat is transferred through the cylinder walls (11) and the liquid water flows through the duct (6) connected to the cylinder (11). The valve (26) is located along the duct (6), which opens for a fraction of the time corresponding to the inflation time of the membrane (12), and at the end of the membrane inflation process (12) , in such a way that it allows the exit of water in a liquid state and not water vapor. At the bottom of the evaporation chamber (2) the duct (4) is connected through which the liquid desiccant flows.

Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the valve (30) is connected to the cylinder (11). The valve (30) is optional in the device and through it water vapor is supplied inside the cylinder (11), useful for starting the operation of the device, this when the device does not have another means of producing the starting steam , since by inflating the membrane (12) this water vapor is heated by transferring heat through the walls of the cylinder (11), reducing the time required to stabilize the operation of the device and start the evaporation of the water present in the liquid desiccant with water. Referring to Fig. 4, in one embodiment of the invention, two cylinders (ll) and (l la) are located inside the evaporation chamber (2), and respectively the sprinklers (32) and (32a) . Inside the cylinder (11) is the membrane (12) to which a duct (19) is connected, in the case of the cylinder (line) the membrane (12a) is internally, and the duct is connected to it ( 19a). In this mode, the pipe (3) through which the liquid desiccant flows with water is connected to the pipe (34), the latter is connected to the sprinklers (32) and (32a). In the duct (3) the valve (35) is located, prior to the connection with the duct (34). At the bottom of the evaporation chamber (2) the pump (37) is located, which is connected to the duct (34) by means of the valve (36).

Prior to the connection of the duct (34) to the sprinkler (32) a valve (33) is located, the same arrangement is available for the sprinkler (32a) with the valve (33a). The pipeline (31) is connected to the cylinders (11) and (line), prior to the connection with the cylinders (11) and (line), in the pipeline (31) the valves (29) and ( 29a) for connection with cylinders (11) and (line), respectively. Water vapor flows to the cylinders (11) and (line) through the pipeline (31). To the cylinders (11) and (line) the pipeline (6) is connected, prior to the connection with the cylinders (11) and (line), in the pipeline (6) the valves (26) and ( 26a), respectively. Water flows through the pipe (6). At the bottom of the evaporation chamber (2) the duct (4) is connected, through which the liquid desiccant flows. The ducts (19) and (19a) that connect to the membranes (12) and (12a) are operatively connected to the compressor (13) in order to supply the fluid to the membranes (12) and (12a) for inflation and deflated them. At the suction point of the compressor (13) the duct (39) is connected, which is connected to the duct (19a) by means of the valve (42).

The duct (41) is connected to the discharge point of the compressor (13), which is connected to the duct (19) by means of a valve (44). After the connection of the pipeline (41) with the pipeline (19) through the valve (44), the pipeline (40) is connected to the pipeline (19). The pipeline

(40) is connected to the pipeline (39) through the valve (43). Prior to the pipeline connection

(41) with the pipeline (19) by means of the valve (44), the pipeline (38) is connected to the pipeline (41). The duct (38) is connected to the duct (19a) and along it is the valve (45). In one embodiment of the invention, the ducts (19) and (19a) are connected to a compressor that alternates its connections between suction point and discharge point. Referring to Fig. 4, the liquid desiccant with water enters the evaporation chamber (2) through the duct (3), if the valve (35) is open the liquid desiccant with water flows through the duct (34 ) towards the sprinklers (32) and (32a). To spread the liquid desiccant with water in the cylinder (11) or cylinder (1 la), you have:

- If the membrane (12) is inflating, liquid desiccant with water is spread through the sprinkler (32) on the cylinder (11), therefore the valve (33) is opened;

- If the membrane (12a) is inflating, liquid desiccant is spread with water through the sprinkler (32a) on the cylinder (line), therefore the valve (33 a) is opened;

Referring to Fig. 4, the liquid desiccant with water has contact with the cylinders (11) and (line) evaporating the water contained in the liquid desiccant with water, given the heat transferred by the cylinder wall ( ll) and (l la) due to inflation of the membranes (12) and (12a), respectively. Water vapor flows to the top of the evaporation chamber (2) and enters the duct (31), flowing into the cylinders (l l) and (l la), according to the following configuration:

- If the membrane (12) is deflating, water vapor is allowed to enter the cylinder (11) when the valve (29) is opened;

- If the membrane (12a) is deflating, water vapor is allowed to enter the cylinder (1 la) when the valve (29a) is opened;

Referring to Fig. 4, water vapor enters the cylinders (11) and (line), and by inflating the membranes (12) and (12a) the water vapor increases its temperature by transferring heat through the walls of the cylinders (11) and (line), and the water vapor condensing in liquid water. For the discharge of liquid water from the cylinders (ll) and (l la) and flowing through the pipeline (6), you have: - If the membrane (12) is inflating, the liquid water is allowed to flow out of the inside of the cylinder (11) when the valve is opened (26) at the end of the inflation of the membrane (12) and before starting deflation;

- If the membrane (12a) is inflating, the liquid water is allowed to flow out of the inside of the cylinder (line) when the valve (26a) is opened, ending the inflation of the membrane (12a) and before starting deflation;

Referring to Fig. 4, the liquid desiccant falls into the bottom of the evaporation chamber (2) and flows through the duct (4) to exit the evaporation chamber (2). If you want to flow liquid desiccant to evaporate the remaining water that it may contain, the valve (35) closes, the valve (36) opens and the pump (37) is activated, liquid desiccant flowing through the duct ( 34) to sprinklers (32) and (32a) respectively. Referring to Fig. 4, one membrane is always inflated and the other deflated, since in this way the evaporation of water from the liquid desiccant with water is optimized, and additionally the evaporation process is continuous. The inflation and deflation of the membranes (12) and (12a) describe a cycle, in which there are two half cycles: a half cycle corresponding to the inflation of the membrane (12) and deflation of the membrane (12a), and a second corresponding half cycle upon inflation of the membrane (12a) and deflation of the membrane (12). Therefore to inflate and deflate the membranes (12) and (12a) you have:

- in the first half cycle to inflate the membrane (12) the valves (44) and (42) are opened and the valves (43) and (45) are closed, and the compressor (13) is active. In this situation the compressor (13) sucks the fluid from the membrane (12a) and therefore the membrane (12a) is deflated.

- in the second half cycle to inflate the membrane (12a) the valves (43) and (45) are opened and the valves (42) and (44) are closed, and the compressor (13) is active. In this situation the compressor (13) sucks the fluid from the membrane (12) and therefore the membrane (12) is deflated. According to the above, the valves (42), (43), (44) and (45) form a flow reversing device. In this mode, while one membrane compresses the vapor and condenses it, the other membrane sucks the steam that will be compressed in the next half cycle, obtaining greater efficiency and permanent steam suction of the evaporation chamber (2) through the pipeline (31).

In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid with which the membrane (12) is inflated and deflated is a liquid, in this mode the compressor (13) is replaced by a pump. Since the fluid used for inflation of the membrane (12) and / or (12a), depending on the type of evaporation chamber (2) to be used, does not come into contact with the water vapor, for the compressor (13 ) or pump to be used, no specialized devices for temperature control or thermal insulation in their lubrication units are necessary. Additionally, the compressor (13) or the pump is located outside the evaporation chamber (2).

Referring to Fig. 2, in one embodiment of the invention, the tank (5) has a closed tank (21), located inside. The duct (6) is connected to the tank (21), with the water extracted from the evaporation chamber (2). In the remaining volume between the tank (21) and the tank (5) liquid desiccant with water is arranged, in this way the extracted water transfers heat to the liquid desiccant with water, prior to the entry of the liquid desiccant with water into the chamber of evaporation (2). In this embodiment of the invention, the tank (5) has a valve (22), by means of which water can be disposed.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the duct (3), the duct (4) and the duct (6) form a heat exchanger (23) in counter flow. In the heat exchanger (23), which the duct (6), through which the water flows from the cylinder (11) to the reservoir (5), and the duct (4), through which the liquid desiccant flows from The evaporation chamber (2) to the capture medium (1) transfers heat to the duct (3), through which the desiccant liquid flows with water from the capture medium (1) to the evaporation chamber (2). In one embodiment of the invention, the duct (3) and the duct (6) are operatively arranged by configuring a heat exchanger (23). In this counterflow heat exchanger (23), in which the duct (6), through which the water flows from the cylinder (11) to the reservoir (5), transfers heat to the duct (3), through which it flows the desiccant liquid with water from the capture medium (1) to the evaporation chamber (2).

In one embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger (23) is covered by a thermal insulating jacket.

Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the compressor (13) is connected to the control device (7), with the purpose of controlling it in terms of turning it on and off. The valve (17), the valve (18), the valve (29), the valve (26) are also connected, in order to close or open them.

Referring to Fig. 4, the compressor (13) is connected to the control device (7), to control the on and off. To this control device (7), the valves (26), (26a), (29), (29a) (33), (33a), (35), (36), (42), ( 43), (44) and (45).

In one embodiment of the invention, the internal pressure of the evaporation chamber (2) is lower than the atmospheric pressure.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the device has:

- temperature sensors (24) disposed inside the cylinder (11), tank (5), duct (3), duct (4) and duct (6); Y

- two pressure sensors (27) disposed one inside the cylinder (11) and one in the expansion chamber (28).

The temperature sensors (24) and the pressure sensors (27) are connected to the control device (7), in order to acquire data for the control of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the components of the device are coated with a thermal insulator with the exception of the compressor (13), the control device (7), the capture means (1) and the ducts connecting the compressor (13) and the membrane (12) and / or (12a) (depending on the evaporation chamber mode (2) used).

The liquid desiccant of the present invention may be a solution of some compound of the group of glycols, a brine of CaCi ₂ , a brine of NaCi ₂ , or combination of the foregoing.

If a brine is used as a liquid desiccant:

- the salt concentration is between 25% to 35% in the liquid desiccant solution with water flowing from the capture medium (1) to the evaporation chamber (2); Y

- the salt concentration is between 35% to 70% in the liquid desiccant solution flowing from the evaporation chamber (2) to the capture medium (1).

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the modalities described and illustrated, and the person skilled in the art will understand that numerous variations and modifications can be made that do not depart from the spirit of the invention, which is only defined by The following claims.

Claims

A device for extracting water from the environment comprising:

a) a means of capturing water from the environment with liquid desiccant;

b) an evaporation chamber;

c) an evaporation mechanism comprising:

i. a cylinder located inside the evaporation chamber;

ii. a membrane located inside the cylinder;

iii. a compressor operatively connected to the membrane to inflate and deflate the membrane;

d) a pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber;

e) a pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows from the evaporation chamber to the capture medium;

f) a reservoir for disposing of water extracted from the liquid desiccant with water in the evaporation chamber;

g) a pipe where water flows from the cylinder to the reservoir; Y,

h) a control device that controls the compressor.

2. The device of Claim 1, characterized in that the water capture means is an inclined tray through which the liquid desiccant for water capture flows.

3. The device of Claim 1, characterized in that the evaporation chamber is a double jacket in which the liquid desiccant flows between the first and the second jacket.

4. The device of Claim 3, characterized in that the liquid desiccant with water flows between the second jacket of the regeneration chamber and the cylinder wall.

5. The device of Claim 3, characterized in that the second jacket has a lower height than the regeneration chamber and is made of a thermal insulating material.

6. The device of Claim 3, characterized in that at the top of the evaporation chamber there is an expansion chamber in which the water vapor expands.

7. The device of Claim 1, comprising a sprinkler connected to the pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber, into the evaporation chamber.

8. The device of Claim 7, comprising a duct where water vapor flows from the evaporation chamber into the cylinder of the evaporation mechanism.

9. The device of Claim 8, characterized in that the pipe through which water vapor flows from the evaporation chamber to the cylinder of the evaporation mechanism comprises a valve.

10. The device of Claim 7, characterized in that the sprinkler spreads the desiccant liquid with water on top of the cylinder.

11. The device of claim 6, comprising a valve by which the cylinder communicates with the expansion chamber.

12. The device of claim 9 and 11, characterized in that:

- the valves open when the membrane is deflating allowing the passage of water vapor inside the cylinder; Y,

- the valves are closed when the membrane is inflating.

13. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the evaporation chamber comprises two sprinklers connected to the pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber.

14. The device of Claim 13, characterized in that two cylinders of the evaporation mechanism are located inside the evaporation chamber, one for each sprinkler.

15. The device of Claim 1, wherein the connection between the compressor and the membrane comprises:

- a duct that connects the membrane to the compressor suction point;

- a valve located along the pipeline that connects the membrane with the compressor suction point;

- a duct that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane; - a tank located along the pipeline that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane; Y,

- a valve located along the pipeline that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane between the tank and the membrane.

16. The device of Claim 1, wherein the connection between the compressor and the membrane comprises:

- a duct that connects the membrane to the compressor suction point;

- a tank located along the pipeline that connects the membrane to the point of the compressor suction;

- a valve located along the pipeline that connects the membrane with the compressor suction point between the membrane and the tank;

- a duct that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane; Y,

- a valve located along the pipeline that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane.

17. The device of Claim 1, wherein the connection between the compressor and the membrane comprises: - a duct that connects the membrane to the compressor suction point;

- a duct that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane;

- a tank located along the pipeline that connects the discharge point of the compressor with the membrane; Y,

18. The device of Claim 13, wherein the connection between the compressor and the two membranes comprises:

- a pipe connected to the discharge point of the compressor;

- a pipe connected to the compressor suction point;

- a duct connected to the first membrane and connected to the duct connected to the compressor discharge point;

- a duct connected to the second membrane and connected to the duct connected to the compressor suction point;

- a pipe connected to the pipe connected to the discharge point of the compressor and to the pipe connected to the second membrane;

- a pipe connected to the pipe connected to the suction point of the compressor and to the pipe connected to the first membrane;

where valves are operatively disposed in the ducts for when the first membrane is inflated the second is deflated and vice versa.

19. The device of Claim 13, wherein the connection between the compressor and the two membranes comprises:

- a duct connected to the first membrane and to the point of discharge of the compressor; Y,

- a duct connected to the second membrane and to the compressor suction point; where the compressor can alternate its suction point and discharge point for when the first membrane inflates the second one deflates and vice versa.

20. The device of Claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir inside has a tank in which the water is disposed, and in the volume between the tank and the rest of the volume of the reservoir liquid desiccant with water is disposed.

21. The device of Claim 1, characterized in that the pipeline through which the water flows from the cylinder to the reservoir comprises a valve located along the pipeline which opens for a fraction of the membrane inflation time.

22. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber and the pipeline through which the water flows from the cylinder to the tank, are operatively arranged to configure a heat exchanger. hot.

23. The device of claim 1, characterized in that the pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows with water from the capture medium to the evaporation chamber, the pipeline through which the water flows from the cylinder to the reservoir and the pipeline through which liquid desiccant flows The evaporation chamber to the capture medium is operatively arranged to configure a heat exchanger.

24. The device of Claim 1, characterized in that the liquid desiccant is selected from the group consisting of glycols, CaCi ₂ brine, NaCi ₂ brine, and a combination of the foregoing.

25. The device of Claim 35, characterized in that the brine consists of:

- a salt concentration between 25% to 35% in the solution of liquid desiccant with water; Y, - a salt concentration is between 35% to 70% in the liquid desiccant solution.